Ahn Cheol-soo Calls for End to Political Backstabbing

Independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo on Thursday called on the main opposition Democratic United Party to stop old-fashioned politicking. It was the second day after negotiations between Ahn's camp and the DUP on fielding a single candidate in the presidential election came to an abrupt halt.

DUP candidate Moon Jae-in pleaded with Ahn on Thursday to resume talks.

Ahn told reporters, "At this point, it seems that Moon is not being briefed accurately on the old-fashioned political maneuvering happening within the DUP. I'm deeply disappointed." He added he had to suspend the talks even if that would be detrimental to his prospect, because he "felt that if both sides fail to demonstrate a new style of politics in the process of selecting a single candidate," it would mean a failure in the presidential election.

Ahn called for "fair competition," and demanded that an end to cloak-and-dagger tactics be included in a joint declaration of a new politics. This is being seen as Ahn's condition for returning to the table.

"There will be no giving way," he added.

Asked whether the idea of fielding a single candidate could be abandoned, Ahn said, "I wouldn't let people down who want political reform and a change of government."

Moon told reporters while campaigning in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, "I called Ahn on Wednesday and Thursday and apologized for any offence or any wrongful comment or action against Ahn. I also promised him that this would never happen ever again." He pleaded with Ahn to accept his apology and resume the talks.